Health and Community Services Complaints Commission Report on Investigation of Royal Darwin Hospital Security Arrangements for the protection of Children and Infants Paediatric Ward 5B Volume 1
Tabled paper 163
Tabled Papers for 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2008-11-27
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/280524
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/415989
59. I also disagree that it is entirely the responsibility of staff to keep up to date with new policies and information. For the improvement of security and the provision of safety and quality those creating and approving the policies the Executive Management Committee chaired by the General Manager have an obligation to proactively and effectively inform and train staff. Any new policy applicable to a staff members work area should be bought to their attention by their supervisor, the supervisor should test the staff members understanding and have the policy endorsed by the staff member and supervisor, a copy of this should be kept on file. HCSCC Q22: Is a record kept of staff who have undertaken inductions, when they attended and of the content of the information provided? RDH response: RDH Orientation attendance record, records attendance and content is recorded by Education Unit at RDH. RDH Orientation content. Attachment 2028. HCSCC Q23: Is the understanding of staff undertaking induction to the Paediatric Ward evaluated in any way and, if so, how? RDH response: No, and not applicable. HCSCC Comment: The response by RDH to this question is incredible. The admission that no evaluation of the effectiveness of staff induction training programs is carried out is bad enough, but to suggest that such an evaluation is not applicable which implies in my view not necessary is unsafe and unprofessional. The consequence is that there is no mechanism or method of knowing whether the induction training is adequate, effective or requires improvement or review. There is also no knowledge of whether or not staff have the relevant knowledge of policies to comply with or implement policies. This is a failure in good management practice, amounting to incompetence. As an example, the CNC advised (response L above-page 24) that security brochures are not given to childrens parents. The Paediatric Ward Orientation booklet on page nine paragraph two states The ward information brochure should be handed to every parent / carer on admission.. This pamphlet touches on Security of children in the Paediatric Ward. Had the CNC been evaluated on her understanding during orientation, she would have been aware of the security awareness section of the pamphlet and the requirement to hand one to every parent/carer on admission. If the CNC is not aware it is likely that other staff are also not aware. In any event neither those conducting or designing the induction program, nor Executive, can assess whether induction is adequate. The answer is evasive and disregards the 28 Volume 2.